2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER steering wheel

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
121
Trip Odometer
Warning!
Risk of loss of control or accident, resulting
in serious personal injury or death.
f Do not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving.
Resetting to zero fPress adjustment button A for approximately
one second or
f Reset the distance in the “SET” menu of the on-
board computer.
Please see the chapter “SET BASIC SETTING
ON ON-BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 159.
After exceeding 6,213 mile s or 9,999 kilometers,
the counter returns to “0”.

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
127
A- Adjustment button for clock
B - Clock
C - Outside temperature displayClock The clock is blanked out approximately four min-
utes after the ignition is switched off or when the
car is locked.
Setting the time
Warning!
Risk of loss of control or accident, resulting
in serious personal injury or death.
f Do not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving.
f Switch ignition on.
Setting hours
f Press adjustment button A for about one sec-
ond.
Hour display flashes.
f Turn button in the appropriate direction:
to right – increase hours figure
to left – decrease hours figure.
Adjustment in hours – turn button briefly
Fast adjustment (display cycles) –
turn and hold button.
Setting minutes
f Press adjustment button again.
Minutes display flashes.
f Set by rotating as in hours mode. Leaving adjustment mode
Automatically after one minute
or:
f Press adjustment button again.
When adjustment mode is deliberately left by
pressing the button, the time begins precisely to
the second.
Note
The time mode can be changed between 12h and
24h in the on-board computer.
Outside Temperature The outside temperature display C does not indi-
cate, if ice is on the road.
Even if a temperature above 32 °F (0 °C) is dis-
played, ice may still form on the road, for instance
on bridges or when the road passes through a
heavily shaded area.

162
Warnings
Warnings on the instrument panel and the on-board computerIf a warning message appears, always refer to the corresponding chapters in the Owner’s Manual.
Warning messages are issued only if all measurement preconditi ons are met. Therefore, check all fluid levels regularly –
in particular, always check the en gine oil level before refuelling.
Instrument
panel On-board
computerText display on on-board
computer Meaning/measure
Seat belt
Driver and passengers must fasten their seat
belts.
Handbrake Handbrake is still on.
Ignition key
not removed
Replace battery
in ignition key Replace the remote-control battery.
Ignition lock faulty,
please go to workshop Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty,
visit workshop now Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Relieve steering Relieve the steering l o c k b y m o v i n g t h e s t e e r i n g
wheel to the left or right.
Steering locked The steering wheel lock remains engaged.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Lights on Low beam/side marker lamps on
Parking light on Left/right parking light on

Warnings
163
Check left/right dipped beam (low
beam)
also applies to:
direction indicator, high beam, side in-
dicator light, reversing lightThe reported light is faulty. Check bulb.
Have the fault remedied
at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Daytime
driving lights off Daytime driving lights switch off when the en-
gine is shut off. Switch
on lights if necessary.
Headlight beam
adjustment faulty Have the fault remedied
at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Front lid not closed Close front lu ggage compartment lid properly.
Rear lid not closed Close rear luggage compartment lid properly.
Rain sensor faulty Have the faul t remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Steering wheel heating
ON Steering wheel heating was switched on.
Steering wheel heating
OFF Steering wheel heating was switched off.
Launch
control
active
Drive Off Assistant
failure Have the fault remedied
at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Refill washer fluid
LIMIT
Cannot be accepted
with vehicle stopped The current speed can only
be accepted for the
acoustic warning signal when the vehicle is in
motion.
Instrument
panel On-board
computerText display on on-board
computer Meaning/measure

174
Shifting Gears
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)The Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) is a seven-
speed transmission with an “automatic” and a
“manual” selection mode.
In automatic selection mode (selector lever
position D), gear changing is automatic.
You can change temporarily from automatic to
manual mode using the shift buttons on the
steering wheel.
In manual selection mode (selector lever
position M), you change gear using the shift
buttons on the steering wheel or with the PDK
selector lever.
You can change between se lector lever position D
and M as you wish while driving.
Note
f Take care not to operat e the shift buttons on
the steering wheel in advertently in either
automatic or manual mode, thereby triggering
undesired gear changes.
Changing the selector lever positionThe selector lever is locked when the ignition is
switched off.
When the ignition is switched on, the selector lever
can be moved from position P and N only when
the release button is pressed, and when the brake
pedal is pressed.
Release button
The release button ( arrow) in the selector lever
prevents the gear from being changed unintention-
ally.
The release button must be pressed when shifting
to position R or P.
StartingThe engine can be started only if the brake
pedal is depressed and the selector lever is in
position P or N.Driving offf Only select the desired position for driving off
( D, M or R ) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
f Since the vehicle creeps when in gear, do not
release the brake until you want to move off.
f After selecting a gear, do not accelerate until
you can feel that the gear is engaged.
Driving off on hills
The Drive-Off Assistant assists the driver when
moving off on hills. The vehicle is held on the slope
for a short time during the change from the brake
pedal to the accelerator in order to allow driving
off directly after the brake is released.
f Please see the chapter “DRIVE-OFF ASSIS-
TANT” on Page 173.

Shifting Gears
177
“Sport Plus” mode activated:
In “Sport Plus” mode, the PDK transmission
changes to a shift program designed for driving
on race circuits. 7th gear is not selected.
The gear-changing performance is enhanced
significantly again compared with “Sport” mode.
fPlease see the chapter “SPORT MODE” on
Page 61.
Driving with Launch Control
Driving with Launch Control allows you to achieve
maximum acceleration from a standing start. It is
intended to provide you with a unique enjoyment of
your vehicle under controlled circumstances and
is not intended to be used in any location where it
could be a nuisance to other persons.
Warning!
There is a risk of endangering other road
users if you use this Control in an improper
location or in a situation where other persons
might need to take evas ive action due to the
rapid acceleration that this technology
permits.
f Launch Control is designed to be used in a
controlled environment on closed circuit
driving courses where no vehicle cross traffic
or pedestrian traffic is present.
f Use Launch Control only if conditions permit it
to be applied in a safe manner. f
Do not use Launch Control if there is a possibi-
lity it could endanger other persons. Such a
possibility exists if you cannot see that you
have a clear road with no possibility of cross
traffic in your intended direction of driving. Caution!
Stress on components increases dramatically
when starting with maximum acceleration in
comparison with normal driving off. Use of
Launch Control will inevitably reduce the life
of the engaged engine and transmission
components.
Preconditions:
– Launch Control should only be used when the engine has reached operating temperature.
– “Sport Plus” mode must be switched on (light- emitting diode in button is on and “SPORT
PLUS” is displayed on the on-board computer).
1. Press the brake with your left foot.
2. Quickly press down the accelerator fully (kickdown activated) and hold.
The engine speed will flatten out at around
6500 rpm.
“Launch Control active” is displayed on the
on-board computer. 3. Release the brake within a few seconds.
Remaining stationary for a long time with
“Launch Control active” can lead to overload-
ing of the transmission.
In order to protect the transmission, the engine
power is then reduced an d the “Launch Control
active” process is cancelled.
Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the shift buttons on the steering wheel, you
can change temporarily fr om automatic selection
mode D to manual mode M.
For example:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
Manual selection mode remains engaged:
– for cornering (depending on the lateral acceler- ation) and overrunning,
– when the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after approx. 8 seconds (unless cornering or overrunning),
– after driving off.

178
Shifting Gears
Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
positions
D and M.
f For optimum acceleration, e.g. when
overtaking, depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
M – Manual selection modeThe currently selected gear is retained when you
change from D to M.
If you change from M to D, the gear-changing map
suitable for your current driving style is selected
and the appropriate gear is selected.
The selector lever and the two shift buttons in the
top steering wheel spokes allow you to comfort-
ably and reliably select the seven forward gears. Shifting up +
f
Press the PDK selector lever or shift button on
the steering wheel forward.
Shifting down –
f Pull the PDK selector leve r or shift button on
the steering wheel back.
You can shift up or down by the corresponding
number of gears by quickly pressing or pulling the
shift buttons or selector lever several times in
succession.
The transmission can be shifted up or down by
several gears in succe ssion by continuously
operating the selector lever or shift buttons.

214
Maintenance, Car Care
Washing The best method of protecting your car from the
damaging effects of the environment is frequent
washing and the application of a preservative. The
underside of your vehicle should also be thorough-
ly washed for cinders, salt or sanding at winter’s
end.
The longer salt, road du st and industrial dust,
dead insects, bird droppi ngs or substances from
trees (resin, pollen) are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful ef-
fect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty
of clear water to protect the new paint work. Dark
paint finishes show up the smallest of surface
damage (e.g., scratches) more readily than lighter
colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the compos ition of their pigments
and require particularly careful paint care.
f Do not wash your car in bright sunlight or while
the bodywork is still hot.
f When washing by hand, use abundant water, a
soft sponge or wash brush, and Porsche car
shampoo.
f Begin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt. f
After washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for dry-
ing as you use for cleaning the windshield and
windows.
Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or
make the brakes pull unevenly which could
increase the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
f After washing the car, test the brakes and
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other
road users behind you (traffic conditions permitting).
Automatic car washes
f Please see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 212.
Optional add-on parts or parts which project
beyond the contours of the vehicle may be
damaged by design features (e.g. brushes) of au-
tomatic car washes. The following parts are particularly
susceptible to damage:
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top
material)
– Windshield wipers (alw ays switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation)
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire height, the greater the risk of damage)
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get- ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash).
f Please consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes.
f Wash and dry by hand all points not reached by
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or
door sills.
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or
shortly after the car wash.